Automatic sack packer



C. M. STONER AUTOMATIC SACK PACKER Oct. 2, 1928.

Filed Dec. 29, 1925 Oct. 2, 1928.

' c. M; STONER AUTOMATIC SACK PACKER Filed Dec. 29, 1925 J 1 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 2, 1928. 1,686,477

0. M. STONER AUTOMATIC SACK PACKER Filed Dec. 29, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 2, 1928.

- C. M. STONER AUTOMATIC SACKPAQKER Oct. 2, 1928. 1,686,477

c. M. STONER AUTOMATIC SACK PACKER 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct. 2, 1928. 1,686,477

(1. M. STONER AUTOMATIC SACK PAZCKER Filed Dec. 29 1925 S SheetS-Sheet' 7 Uct. 2, 1928.

g C. M. STONER AUTOMATIC SACK PACKER Fi led Dec..29, 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Get. 2, 1928.

entra n STATES PATENT tries.

CHARLES M. STONE R, 0F CHAMBERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR"T6 WULEF e COMPANY, on GHAMBERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION on mamm- VANIAJ AUTOMATIC sAoK 'PAoKER.

Application-filed December 29, 192-5. Serial No. 78,174.

This invention relates to machines for packing flour or other similar material into sacks, and the machine as an entirety is of a type heretofore well known. In accordance with the invention, various improved and additional features are provided whereby the operation and the control of the entire machine are rendered more satisfactory and more convenient.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a sack packer having an automatic cycle of operations, all controlled by a single starting lever.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism for automatically starting and stopping the operation of the packing mechanism in accordance with the position of the sack-supporting platform.

Another object of the invention is to provide .an optionally usable and releasable mechanism whereby the platform can be automatically held, in the position which it occupies upon the completion of the packingoperation. v Y

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for regulating and controlling the action of the brake which retards the downward movement of the platform.

Still another object of the invention is to provide improved means for regulating and controlling the supplemental braking action which serves to retard the downward movement of the platform after the sack has been filled. s

A still further object of the invention is to provide a brake adapted to quickly stop the rotation of the auger at the conclusion of the packing operation, and also to provide a suitable controlling mechanism for the said brake. I

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved stop mechanism for limiting the downward movement of the platform or for holding it in a desired upper position. I

Still further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown one embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

Figure, 1 is a front view of the machine, the platform being shown in lowered position; Fig. 2 is a left side view of the machine; Fig. 3 is a right side View of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken alongthe line 14 of Fig.2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side VlGW showing the mechanism for operating and controlling the clutch vforraising the platform.

Fig. 6 is a front view of the parts'shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan view taken along the line 77 of Fig. 6. i

Fig, 8 is an enlarged detail view of-the rip device for disengaging the. clutch.

Flg. 91s a fragmentary r ght side View on an enlarged scale showing the trip mechanism for the clutch and brake; N

Fig 10 is a viewpartly in sectionalong the line l0.10 of Fig. 9', the parts being in the position which they occupy just prior to the engagement of the clutch and the application of. the brake; J

F ig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, but showing the parts in the position which they occupy immediately after the disengagement of the clutch and the release of the brake;

Fig. 12is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the abutment nut which operates the brake;

Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 13-13 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 1 1 is a detail plan view on an enlarged scale showing the I brake lever and associated parts; i y

Fig. 15 isa combined elevational and vertical sectional view partly in section along the line 1515 of Fig. 14,'and

respective frame members at the opposite municates with sides of the machine are connected together by base plates 5 and 6 and by suitable tie plates such as 7, 8 and 9.

The two rear frame members 2 and 4 are connected together by suitable transverse members such as 10. 11 and 12.

Suitably supported on the framework at the front of the machine is a vertical pack ing tube 13. It is to be understood that the tube 13 is readily detachable and that different tubes can be applied to the machine to suit different sizes of sacks to be packed. Asshown, this tubeis suspended from a plate 14 which extends transversely across the machine and is secured to the frame members 1 and 3. The plate 14has a large aperture therein (not shown) which comthe tube 13. Supported upon or at least connected with the plate 14 is abowl or hood 15 which registers at its bottom with the apertu're in the plate 14 and which has its front and side walls curved upward and rearward, as clearly shown in the drawings. The rear side of the bowl 15 is open, and this communicates with an aperture in the'front of a hopper 16 ghich is supported between the frame memers.

' preferably supported by auxiliary horizontal frame members 17 and 18. It will be understood that flour to be sacked is delivered into the hopper 16 in any suitable manner,

and that it passes from the hopper into the hood 15, and thence through the packing tube 13. The movement of the 'flour through the tube is controlled by means of the mechanism to be described. I

Extending transversely across the front of the machine is a front plate 19 which is preferably spaced forward from the frame members 1 and 3 by means of spacing blocks 20, 20. The plate 19 is provided at the 1y removable from the auger shaft, and

they can be replaced with others of different size. It is to be understood that the augers should closely fit the packing tube, and it will, therefore, be obvious that when a different size of tube is put in place, the angers must be correspondingly changed.

The front plate 19 is also provided with two horizontal bearings 27 and 28 in which is mounted a main drive shaft 29 adapted to be driven in any suitable way as by means of a belt pulley30. A power connection is provided between the shafts 29 and 23. Preferably this connection comprises a bevel gear 31 which is mounted on the shaft 29 The upper part of the hopper16 is' and which meshes with a bevel gear 32 keyed or otherwise rigidly secured to the auger shaft 23. The gear 31 is preferably loosely mounted on the shaft 29 and a clutch 33, preferably a friction clutch, is

provided for connecting the shaft with the A plat-form 36 is provided for supporting the sacks to be filled, and this platform is vertically movable with respect to the framework. The platform is carried by two up right members 37 and 38 which project be tween the respective frame members 1 and 2, and 3 and 4. Thesev members are connected together at their upper ends by means of a transverse top rail 39. Diagonal tie rods 40, 40, serve to connect the said upper ends of the members 37 and 38 with the platform 36. The said members 37 and 38 are provided at their front and rear sides with rollers 41, 41, and 42, 42, which cooperate with the vertical frame members to guide the platform; Preferably the frame members are provided with protecting strips '43 and 44, with which the said rollers engage.

Preferably as shown in detail in Fig. 4, some of the rollers, as for instance the rollers 41, 41, on the left-hand side, are provided with central annular ribs 45 which projectinto a slot 43 formed in the corre sponding guard strip 43. These rollers thus serve to prevent any lateral or angular movement of the members 37 and 38 or of the platform 36. The platform 36 is pro-. vided with an upward extending sheet apron 46 which is behind and partly surrounds the packing tube. This plate serves as a means for supporting the sack, particularly at the conclusion of the packing operation;

For elevating the platform 36, there is provided a horizontal transverse shaft 47 which is mounted in suitable; bearings located between the frame members at the two sides of the machine. This shaft is provided with a drum or drums 48 to which are secured the upper ends of two straps 49 and 50. The lower ends of the straps are connected by means of links 51 and 52 with the beforementioned top rail 39 which forms a part of the platform structure. It will be obvious that when the shaft-'47 is rotated, the straps 49' and 50 will be wound upon the drum 48, andthatthe entireplatforn structure will be drawn upward.

by the operator.

For rotating the shaft 47, there is provided a belt pulley 53 on the drive shaft 29, and a. "belt pulley 54 on the shaft 47. A belt 55 extends over these two bel-tpulleys. The pulley 54 is rota'tably mounted on the shaft 47 and is connectable therewith by means of a clutch 56 which is preferably a friction clutch. and 7, the clutch is operated by means of a bell-crank lever 57 which is horizontally pivoted at 57 to a bracket 57 carried by the frame member 2. Movement of the lever in the clockwise direction engages the clutch and movement in the counter-clockwise direction disengages the clutch. The lower arm of the lever 57 is connected with a hand lever 58, and for this purpose the said arm carries a depending lug 58 having a pivot pin 58 which extends through the lever 58. The said lever 58 is pivoted to the bracket 57 at 58and at its front end has a handle 58 The lower arm of the bell-crank lever is provided with a plate 59 having a bevelled notch "59 therein. A spring pressed plunger 59 is mounted in an aperture in the bracket 57. This plunger is seated in the said notch when the clutch is disengaged and thus serves to prevent accidental engagement of the clutch. By means of the hand lever the hell-crank lever 57 can be moved,

the plunger 59 being forced out of the notch.

The clutch 56 can be disengaged at any time by manual movement of the lever 58 I prefer, however, to provide automatic means for disengaging the clutch when the platform 36 reaches its up per position As in Figs. 1 and 8 I provide a trip lever '66 carried by the top rail 39 of the platform structure. This lever 60 is so positioned that it will directly engage the bell-crank lever 57 to cause the release of the clutch. Preferably the lever is vertically adjustable and for this purpose it is horiz'on'tal ly pivoted at 60 The lever can be adjusted about the pivot by means of a screvv 6O provided with a lock nut 60 By adjusting the lever it is possible to vary exact position of the platform upon the disengagement of the clutch.

For controlling or regulating the down ward movement of the platform 36 a suitable brake mechanism is provided, and as illustrated this comprises a brake drum 61 secured to the right-hand end of the shaft 47. Brake shoes 62 and 68 carried respectively by levers 64 and 65 engage the brake drum to resist or retard the movement thereof. These levers are connected with an opscribed.

Mounted at one side of the machine, pref- As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, '6-

'two arms 72 and 73.

. a vertical link 81.

secured respectively to the frame members 3 and 4-. Secured to this shaft is a tripping member 71 which is shown more clearly in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. By referring to these figures, it will be seen that the trip member comp ises two arms 72 and 73 which occupy different angular positions and are in different vertical planes.

Carried by the adjacent side member 38 of the platform structure are two vertical rails74 and 75 which are offset from each other so as to register respectively with the These rails are pref-' erably T-shaped in horizontal section. Slidably mounted on these rails are dogs 76 and 77. These two dogs are similar in construcw tion, and each of them is shaped to fit the corresponding T-shaped rail '74 and 75.

Each of them comprises a roller 78 adapted to engage the corresponding tripper ar1n72 or 7 3, and each of them also'has a set screw 79 whereby it can be locked in adjusted position with respect to the corresponding rail. The rollers 78 of the respective dogs 76 and 7 7 are adapted to engage the respective. tripper arms 72 and 73 to actuate them and thus rock the shaft 68.

Secured to the front end of the shaft'68 is an arm 80 to which is pivota'lly connected Preferably the arm is provided at its lefthand end with a handle 8O by means of-which the arm can be manually moved when required. The link 81 is pivotally connected at its upper end with a rocker plate 82 having a gear segment 83 formed thereon. This gear. segment 83 meshes with a similar gear segment at the lower end of thebeforementioned lever '34. It will therefore be seen that when the shaft 68 is moved in the clockwise direction. the link 81 will he raised, thus moving the lever 3% in the counterclockwise direction so as to engage the clutch 33xand causethe cuger shaft 23 to be rotated. When the link 81 is lowered, the lever 34 is movedin theclockwise direction to release the clutch;

The link 81 is directly associated with the brake control lever 66, as clearly shown in Fig. 3; The link 81 carries an abutment or projection 8 which is adapted-to directly engage the front end of the lever 66 to lift it when the link 81 is moved upward. the lever 66 is turned in a clockwise direction and the brake is applied. It will be '33'for the auger and to simultaneously apply the brake which controls the movement Thus of the platform 36, and that downward movement serves to release the clutch and to simultaneously release or partly release the in the manner already described.

- justing the screw 60 sack tobe filled in the packing tube 13, it being understood that a tube of the proper size has been selected so as to closely fit the bags which are to be filled. Then by moving the handle 58 downward, the clutch 56 is engaged and the platform 36 is elevated When the platform 36 reaches the proper position the clutch 56 is disengaged by the lever 60 as already described. The exact time of clutch disengagement can be varied by ad- The dog 77 has previously been properly adjusted so as to engage the tripper arm 73 immediatelyafter the disengagement of the clutch 56. Figure 10 shows the dog 77 just coming into engagement with the tripper arm 73. The arm 7 3 will be moved upward, thus rotating theshaft 68 in the clockwise direction. Accordingly, the clutch 33 will be engaged to start the rotation of the auger shaft and the .brake mechanism will be applied, all as hereinbefore set forth.

The rotation of the angers 25 and 26 serves to feed flour downward and to pack it into the sack which is gradually forced off from the tube 13 against the platform 36. The platform is slowly forced downward, the resistance to downward movement being applied by means of the brake mechanism.

The dog 7 6 is so adjusted as to come into engagement with the tripper arm 72 when the sack has been sufficiently filled. The engagement of the dog with the tripper arm serves to turn the shaft 68 in the counterclockwise direction, thus releasing the clutch 33 and stopping the rotation of the angers, and thus stopping the feed. At the same time, the lever 66 is moved in the counterclockwise direction to release or partly release the brake. The platform with the filled sack may then move downward to a lower position such as that shown in Fig. 1. In order that the pressure exerted by the auger may be varied so as to control the tightness of packing and the amount of flour packed into the successive bags, means is provided for adjusting the action of the brake. For this purpose, the abutment 84 on the link 81 is vertically adjustable. As a convenient means for securing vertical adjustment, the abutment 84 is made in the form of a nut which engages threads on a sleeve 81 carried by the link 81. Preferably as shown in detail in Figs. 12 and 13, the nut comprises a body 848 which is provided with threads at one end and which is further provided with a central recess 85 in which is fitted a secondary nut 86. This secondary nut is provided with one or more longitudinal grooves 87, 87, any one of which may be engaged by a. dog-pointed set screw 88. Located in the recess 85 and interposed between the two members 84* and 86 is acoil spring ,89. In adjusting the 7 device, the

screw 88 is first removed or partly removed and the secondary nut 86 is turned relatively to the main nut 84%so as to suitably compress the spring 89. Then the set screw 88 is replaced to another one of the grooves 87, thus preventing further relative rotation between the members 84h and 86. The spring tends to. separate the two members, and thus applies pressure to the threads in opposite directions. Thus there can be no vertical lost motion of the nut with respect to the link 81, and at the same time the friction applied to the threads serves to prevent accidental or unintended rotation of the nut by reason of vibration or otherwise. It will be seen that by rotating the nut, the fric- I provide a float control for retaining a certain amount of frictional resistance at the brake mechanism after the lever 66 has been disengaged by the nut 84. To this end, I provide a stop 90 which serves to limit the downward movement of the lever 66. erably, means is provided whereby adjustment can be effected to regulate-the amount of friction which will be retained. As illustrated, the lever 66 is provided with an adjustable stop screw 91 which engages the stop 90. This screw is provided with a grooved or notched'head 92, and a spring detent 93 isprovided which will enter any one of these notches to hold the screw in adjusted position. Thus the operator by adjusting the screw '91 can regulate the friction so that the platform with a bag of any given weight thereon will descend at a reasonable rate under the control of the float mechanism without any undue speed or shock.

Preferably I provide means whereby the friction at the brake can be-entirely eliminated when the platform is being elevated.

This is for the purpose of avoiding any cies of operation and in order to avoid the necessity for frequent adjustment. For this purpose, the stop 90 is made in the form of a cam which is rotatable about a transverse horizontal axis by means of a lever 94a This esa-477 lever is connected with the lower end of a link 95 which at its upper end is connected with an arm This arm 96, is carried by a shaft 97 which extends entirely across the machine and terminates in an arm 98. I This arm is connected by a link 98 with the hand lever 58..

wise direction as viewed in Fig. 15, so as to This entirely releases the brake and permits the platform to be elevated without any wear on the brake drum or shoes Preferably as shown in part in Figure 1,

and more in detail in- Fig. 16-, abrake mechanism is provided for quickly stopping the; auger shaft as soonas the clutch 33 is dis, engaged. For this purpose, there is provid-l is moved in the direction to release the clutch jecting right-hand end of the plunger is a 33, ascrew 104: carried by the lever 34: en-

gages "the lever 104: to move it in the direc-' tion to tighten the brake, band and thusapply the brake,

I have already briefly described the construction and operation of the trip mechanism which operates the control rod 81'. Preferably in" addition to: the parts already" described. I provide a spring detent mechanism for holding the tripper mechanism in its operative positions. Forthis. purpose, I

- provide an arm 105- on the shaft 68, which provided with a roller- 106. Carried by the front frame member 3 is a. bracket 107 inwhich is mounted ahorizontall'y movable plunger 1,08. mcve this plunger toward the rod. The spring, 109 is mounted in: the same aperture as the plunger and a plug 110 servesto hold the springin place. Qarried by the pro.-

cam plate 111 having two: curved recesses 112 and 113 therein. This cam plate is so located that it engages the roller 106,, the said roller held by the plate either in its upper position or in its lower position. When the tripper arm 73 is engaged by the dog 77, 1 as shown in Fig; 10, the roller 106 is moved gaged the. dog 76 When the hand lever is ;m0ved downward to engage the clutch 56 the stop cam 90 is turned in the COllHtGI'CIOCkr; 10.

. entirely free it from the stop screw 91.

A coil spring 109 tends to the associated parts. are forced downward furtherthan they would be movedby the dog-r Thus thetripper arm 72 is moved to such a positionthat it will not be en when the. dog subsequently moves upward, v

i Under some circumstances, itis desirable to automatically stop the plat-form when the sack has been filled, and to prevent v the lowering of the platform which ordinarily takes place. For-this purpose, I providea safety latch 11-4 which is pivoted at 115 to the bearing. bracket carried by the frame member 3;, The latch-member 11-4: is, provided with a hook 116 which isadaptcd tio'project under a lug 117 on the arm 105., A spring 118 serves to normally holdthe l'atchfin the .posit-ion shown in Fig.= 10, anda handle 11 9 is provided, whereby the. latch can be moved in opposition to the spring torelease the lever 105. The-dog- 7 6 serves to move the tripper arm 72. far enough to; release the clutch 33 andto partly release the brake, as already described. However, before the tripper arm. can. be moved far enough to. free the dog and permit it to pass, the arm 105i is en gaged by the-latch 114, with the result that the parts are locked against furthermovemeat. The platformis therefore supported by reason of theyengagement of the dog 76 with the tripper arm 72. By moving the hand lever 119, the latch can be released and the platform can bepeirmitted to descend ,under the controlof thebrake mechanism,

as already. described. lVhen the. arm. moves in; the opposite direction, the lug 117 forces. the latch; 114 out of the way. i The stopping or latch device 114. may be: held in an inoperative"position by means of a pin 120 which may be inserted inv the hole 121. Preferably-the pin'is held by a chain I preferabl'yalso provide a suitable stop mechanism for limiting the downward movement of the platform, as shown in Figs. 1'

and 2. A .verticalrod'122 is provided which is rotatable in bearings 123 and 12 1. This rod isprovided with holes. 125, 125, adapted for the reception of astop pin 126. The platform is provided with a forked lug 127 which embraces the shaft 122 and is adapted to abut against the pin .126. I It will be seen that bylocating the pin 126m one'of the holes 125, the downwardmovement 'of the platform can be stopped in anydesired position. r i

0 "When the machine isnot in operation, it

is desirable to leave the platform 36; in .an'

elevated position. In order that tlieplatform maybe held in such a position ,T provide a second stop pm 128 which-rs carried I by the shaft 122 and whiclrnormally projects towards the left, as shown in thedrawings. In this position, the bracket 127 will pass the pin without engaging it. A handle- 129 is provided whereby the shaft 122 may be manually turned. lVhen the operator desires to leave the machine with the plat-' form elevated, he causes theplatform to be raised in the ordinary manner. After the lug 127 has passed above the pin 128, the

' shaft 122 is given a quarter turn to bring the pin 128 toward the front. Then the platform can be lowered until the lug 127 rests upon the pin 128.

From the foregoing description, the operation of the machine will be readily ap-' parent. WVith the platform 36 in its lower osition' as determined by the engagement of-the lug 127 with the pin 126, the operator places the sack to be filled on the packing tube 13. Then the operator causes the elevation of the platformby moving'the handle 58 downward. WVhile the platform is being thus moved upward, the cam stop 90 for the brake mechanism is so positioned as to permitthe .said mechanism to be entirely released, thus avoiding any wear on the'brake drum or brake shoes.

As soon as the lever 60 engages the lever 57 upward movement of the platform is stopped; At the same time the dog 77 en-' gages the tripper arm 7 3, and the clutch 33 is engaged to start the rotation of the auger .shaft, the brake on the auger shaft being simultaneously released. Also at the same time, the main brake on the platform control shaft is applied by reason of the upward movement of the nut 84. The auger serves to force the flour into the sack and to pack it, and as the sack is gradually filled, the platform is forced downward against the resistance offered by the brake mechanism.'

As soon as the platform has reached a predetermined point with the predetermined amount. of'flour in the sack, the dog76 engagesthe tripper arm 72 to disengage the clutch 33 to apply the brake 101 and to partly release the main brake. If the safety latch, is not in use, the platform then descends to its lower position under the control of the reduced braking action of the main.

brake mechanism. If, however, the safety latch is in use, the platform will be held against downward movement until manually released by the operator. The platform remains in its lower position, and the filled sack'can be removed and a new sack put in place. 'Then the cycle of operations as already described may be repeated.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that upon engagement of the clutch '56 by the handle 58 the machine willbination of a vertically movable platform, means including a clutch for elevating the platform, a bell-crank lever for engaging and disengaging the clutch, means for maintaining said lever in its clutch engaging position, trip means carried by the platform for engaging the bell-crank lever to move it out of engagement with its maintaining means and disengage the clutch when the platform moves upward to a predetermined position, one arm of said bell-crank lever being immediately connected to said clutch and'the second arm thereof lying in the path of said trip means, a packing mechanism, and automatic means operable by the platform for starting the operation of the packing means. i

2. In an automatic sack packer, the combination of a vertically movable platform, means including a clutch forelevating the platform, a bell-crank lever for engaging and disengaging the clutch, means for maintaming said lever in its clutch engaging position, trip means carried by the platform for engaging the bell-crank lever to move it out of engagement with its maintaining means and disengage the clutch when the platform moves upward to a predetermined position, one arm ofsaid bell-crank lever being immediately connected to said clutch and the second arm thereof lying in the path of said trip means, means for adjusting the trip mechanism to vary the time of clutch disengagement, a packingmechanism, and automatic means operable by the platform for starting the operation of the packing means.

'8. In an automatic sack packer, the combination of a vertically movable platform,

a packing mechanism, means for starting and stopping the operation of the packing mechanism, operating mechanism forthe said means comprising a tripper device including a pivoted element movable to either of two angularly disposed positions, two dogs on the platform structure adapted to engage the tripper device and respectively throw it in opposite directions, and a spring detent device adapted to engage said pivoted element in each of said angularly disposed positions for holding the tripper device in either of its operative positions.

4-. In an automatic sack packer, the combination of a vertically movable platform, a packing mechanism, means for starting and stopping the-operation of the packing mechanism, operating mechanism for the said means comprising a tripper device, two dogs on the platform structure adapted to engage the tripper device and respectively throw it in opposite directions, and a spring operated cam mechanism for automatically throwing the .tripper device in one direc tion beyond the positionto which it is moved by the corresponding dog.

5. In an automatic sack packer, the combination of a vertically movable platform, a

packing mechanism, means for starting and stopping the operation of the packing mechanism, operating mechanism for the-said means comprising atripper device, two dogs on the platform structure adapted to engage the tripper device and respectively throw it in opposite directions, and a spring detent device for holding the tripper device :in either of its operative positions, the said device also serving to automatically throw the tripper device in one direction beyond the position to which it is moved by the corresponding dog.

6. In an automatic sack packer, the combination of a verticallymovable platform, a brake for resisting downward movement of the platform, a packing mechanism, automatic mechanism for starting the operation of the packing mechanism and applying the said brake when the platform moves upward to a predeterminedposition, the said mechanism also serving for stopping the packing mechanism and partly releasing the said brake When the platform moves downward toa secondpredetermined position, and automatic'ally act-ing -manually releasable means for stopping the downward movement of the platform immediately after the release of the brake.

7. 'In an automatic sack packer, the combina tion of a vertically anovable platform, a brake for resisting downward movement of the platform, a packingmechanism, automatic mechanism for starting the operation ofthe packing mechanism and applying the said brake when the platform moves upward to a predetermined position, the said mechanism also serving for stopping the packing mechanism and partly releasing the said brake when the platform moves downward to a second prec'letermined posit on, automatically acting manuall-y releasable means for stopping the downward movement of the platform immediately after the release oft-he 'brake, and locking means for holdingthe said stopping means in an inoperative position.

8. In an automatic sack packer, the combination of a vertically movable platform,

a brake for resisting downward movement of the platform, a packing mechanism, automatic mechanism for starting the operation of the packing mechanism and a-pplying'the said brake when the platform moves upward to a predetermined position, the said mechanism also serving for stopping the packing v mechanism and partly releasing the said brake when the platform moves dowrnvard to a second predetermined position, means for adjusting the said automatic mechanism to cause it to operate at different positions of the platform, and automatically acting manually releasable means for stopping the downward movement ofthe platform im-' mediately after the release of the brake.

' 9. In an automatic sack -packer,*the com- :act'ing manually releasable latch for limit ing the movement of the tripper device in one direction and thereby cause the platform I to-be held by one of ward movement.

10. Inan automatic s ck packerfthe combination of avertically movable platform, a brake for resisting downward movement of the platform, a packing mechanism, mechathe dogs against downhnism for starting the operation of th'e packing mechanism and simultaneously -a'pp. lying thesaid brake, and forstoppmg the packing mechanism and simultaneously partly 'releasing the said brake, a 'trip per device connected with the last said :meclianismftwo dogs on the platform structure adapted to engage the tri-oper device and respectively throw it 1n opposite directions, an arm connected with the tripper device, a springdetent plunger cooperating with the arm to hold the tripperdevice in either of its operative positionsfand an automatically acting manually releasable latch for engaging the said arm to limit the movement of the tripper device in one direction-and thereby cause the platform to-be held by one ofthe dogs against downward movement.

11. In an automatic sack packer, :the combination'of a vertically movableplatform, a brake for resisting downward movement of the platform, a packing mechanism, mechanism including a longitudinally movable rod for starting and the packing mechanism, a brake lever for applying and releasing the brake, and an,adj-ustable nut device threaded on the rod and engaging the lever to apply th'ebrake when the rod is moved in the direction to start the packing mechanism, the said nut device con prising two threaded ,parts with aspring between them for taking up lost motion.

12. In an automatic sack packer, the combination of a vertically i'novable platform,

mechanism for raising the platform,'a'brake mechanism for resisting downward ,mov'e ment o'f the platform, a packing mechanism,

for stopping the packing mechanism and simultaneously partly releasing the said brake mechanism, means serving to prevent c0m-,

stopping the operation of plete release of the said brake mechanism when partly released by the sa1d control mechanism, and mechanism for causing the platform raising mechanism to operate and for simultaneously entirely releasing the brake mechanism. I

13. In an automatic sack packer, the com bination of a vertically movable platform,

inechanismfor raising the platform, a brake mechanism comprising a drum and shoes for resisting downward movement of the platform, a packing mechanism, control mechanism for starting the operation of the packing mechanism and simultaneously applying the said brake shoes to the drum andv for stopping the packing mechanism and simultaneously partly releasing the said brake shoes from the drum, means serving to prevent complete release of the. said brake shoes from the drum when partly released by the said control mechanism, and mechanism for causing the platform raising mechanism to operate and for simultaneously entirely releasing the brake shoes from the drum.

14;. In an automatic sack packer, the com-- bination of a vertically movable platform, mechanism for raising the platform, a brake mechanism for resisting downward movement of the platform, a packing mechanism, control mechanism for starting the operation of thepacking mechanism and simultaneously applying the said brake mechanism and for-stopping the packing mechanism and simultaneously partly releasing the said brake mechanism, a manually adjustable device serving to prevent complete release of the saidbrake mechanism when partly released by the said control mechanism, and mechanism for causing the platform raising mech-- anism to operate and for simultaneously entirely releaslng the brake mechanism.

15. In an automatic sack packer, the combination of a vertically movable platform,

mechanism for raising the platform, a brake mechanism for resisting downward move ment of the'platform, a control lever for the brake mechanism, a packing mechanism, control mechanismfor starting the operation of the packing mechanism and simultaneously moving the brake control lever to apply the said brake mechanism and for stopping the for simultaneously moving the cam to permit the brake control lever to move so' as to entirely release the brake mechanism.

16; In an automatic sack packer, the combination' of a vertically, movable platform,

mechanism for raising theplatform', a brake mechanism for resisting downward movementofthe platform, a control lever for the brake mechanism, a packing mechanism, control mechanism for starting the operation of the packing mechanism and simultaneously moving the brake control "lever to apply the said brake mechanism and for stopping the packing mechanism and simultaneously moving the brake control lever to partly release the said .brake mechanism, an adjustable stop screw on the brake control lever, a

pivoted cam adapted to be engaged by the stop screw and serving when in one position to prevent movement of the brake control lever far enough to completely release the said brake when partly released by the said control mechanism, and mechanismfor causing the platform raising mechanism to operate and for' simultaneously .moving the cam to permit the brake control lever to move so as to entirely release the brake mechanism.

17. In an automatic sack packer, thecombination of a vertically movable platform, mechanism including a clutch for raising the platform, an operating lever for the clutch, a brake mechanism for resisting downward movement of the platform, a control lever for the brake mechanism, a packing mechanism, control mechanism for starting the operation of the packing mechanism and simultaneously moving the brake control lever to apply the said brake mechanism and for stopping the packing mechanism and simultaneously moving the brake control lever to partly'release the said brake mechanism, a pivoted cam serving when in one position to prevent movement, of the brake control lever far enough to completely release the said brake when partly released by the said control mechanism, an operative connection between the operating lever for the clutch and the said cam whereby they are moved in unison, and manually operable means for moving the said operating lever and the cam to cause the platform to be raised and for causing the stop screw to be disengaged by the cam. v

18. In an automatic sack packer,the combination of a vertically movable platform, mechanism for raising the platform, a packing mechanism, a vertical shaft at one side of the platform having holes therein for a stop pin, a lug on the platform adapted: to

engage the stop pin to limit downward movement of the platform, a second pin carried by the shaft above the firstv pin and normally out of the pathof the saidlug, and means for turning the shaftto bring the second pin into the path of the lug so that the platform may be supported-in an elevated position.

' CHARLES STONER', 

